Marine Institute spotlight on science. Each month, an expert from the Marine Institute will shine a light on their area of work, sharing insights on our ocean knowledge. As the national agency responsible for supporting the sustainable development of our marine resources, the Marine Institute delivers scientific knowledge, expert advice and services to government, industry and a wide range of stakeholders. 

A New Online Dashboard for Sea Lice Monitoring Data
Dr Neil Ruane, Section Manager of Aquaculture at the Marine Institute 

A Longstanding Commitment to Monitoring

The Sea Lice Monitoring Programme began in 1991 as a pilot initiative by the Department of the Marine, and by 1993 it had expanded to cover all marine finfish farms nationwide. Since then, the programme has evolved into a cornerstone of Ireland’s aquaculture management system. Operated independently by the Marine Institute, it provides consistent, science-based oversight of sea lice levels, ensuring that farms maintain best practices in fish health and environmental protection.

In 2000, the programme was formalised through the publication of the Monitoring Protocol No. 3 for Offshore Finfish Farms – Sea Lice Monitoring and Control by the Department of Marine and Natural Resources. Further strategic direction came in 2008 with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s release of A Strategy for the Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms, which reinforced the importance of proactive lice management.

Why Sea Lice Matter

Sea lice are naturally occurring marine parasites that can affect a wide range of fish species. Two species are of particular concern to Irish aquaculture: Lepeophtheirus salmonis, commonly known as the salmon louse, which primarily targets salmonids and is the primary species of concern. We also collect data on Caligus elongatus, which is a more generalist parasite of over 80 marine fish species, including farmed salmon.

While Atlantic salmon is the only salmonid species farmed commercially at sea in Ireland, the presence of sea lice poses risks not only to farmed fish but also to wild salmonid populations. High sea lice levels can lead to stress, skin damage, and increased susceptibility to disease in the host, and may impact the survival of juvenile wild salmonids during their migration to sea.

Rigorous Inspection and Reporting

Under the national monitoring programme, we inspect all farmed stocks of Atlantic salmon monthly, with increased frequency during the spring months—March, April, and May—the outmigration period for wild salmonid smolts. Up to 14 inspections are carried out annually, with December and January combined into a single visit.

Each inspection involves sampling two pens per site: one standard pen that is sampled consistently throughout the production cycle, and one randomly selected pen chosen on the day of inspection. This dual-sampling approach ensures both consistency and variability in data collection.

We circulate the results in monthly updates to stakeholders and publish all the data in an annual report available through the Marine Institute’s Open Access Repository. These reports provide valuable insights into sea lice trends, farm level data, and the effectiveness of control measures.

Increased Transparency with the Sea Lice Dashboard

The newly launched Power BI dashboard represents a major advancement in how we share sea lice data. It displays monthly lice counts for each salmon farm and users can view historical data for each stock of fish since they were put to sea, offering a clear picture of sea lice management over time.

This initiative is part of Ireland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development, which aligns with EU guidelines and aims to foster innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience in the aquaculture sector. By making sea lice data publicly accessible and easy to interpret, the dashboard enhances transparency for the public and supports informed decision-making by regulators and producers.

It was developed by the Marine Institute and funded under the Marine Knowledge Scheme of the European Maritime, Aquaculture and Fisheries Fund (EMFAF), and co-financed by the Irish Government and the EU, which aims to strengthen ocean governance and ensure sustainable marine management. The dashboard is part of a broader national strategy to promote responsible growth in the sector through to 2030. As aquaculture continues to grow in importance for food security and coastal economies, tools like this dashboard will play a vital role in balancing productivity with environmental responsibility.

The dashboard is updated monthly and is freely accessible to the public at:
www.marine.ie/site-area/data-services/sea-lice-inspection-data-finfish-farms-ireland